"How great the importance to make these things known" (2 Nephi 2:8) - September 6, 2021
Spiritual Thought
There is a verse of scripture recorded in 2 Nephi 2:8 which says, in part: "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah". This verse stands as one of the great calls to action recorded in scripture. Each of us are the beneficiaries of a knowledge about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed to know of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation and to have received a witness of the authenticity of this Gospel. When we enter the waters of baptism we take upon ourselves a covenant to "make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth". We are under the privilege of being the mouthpieces which invite all people to "Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him" (Moroni 10:32). We have received the greatest knowledge we could receive and must now offer such opportunities to those "Who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it".
In this spirit, I would like to issue an invitation to all who will receive this email. My invitation is this: I challenge each person who will read this email to invite at least one nonmember friend to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the full time missionaries before the end of this year. Think of what could be accomplished if you choose to accept my invitation. Prior to when I entered the mission field there were 105 people receiving these emails. Since that time I am told that more people have been added to this list. What a powerful force for righteousness 105 missionary minded men, women, and children could be as we prayerfully consider those who are prepared to hear the "good news" of the Gospel. Then as those same individuals stand up and act on the promptings they receive. To adapt something President Johnson frequently says: "Nothing makes Satan more afraid than 105 disciples of Jesus Christ on their knees in prayer". Over the next four months we could invite more than one hundred people to hear the message of the restoration and have their lives changed forever. I know that if we will each committ to be a little bolder in declaring inviting all to Christ our lives will be forever blessed. Expect miracles to take place as you labor in the Lord's vineyard. As you carry out my invitation I ask you to please email me to tell me about the experiences you are having; the name's of those who have invited, their histories and stories, the impact the message of the Gospel is having on their lives. I promise that as we invite those around us, our friends and acquaintances, to partake of the fruit of the Gospel we will have angels go with us and bear us up. Jesus Christ Himself will be the wind in our sails and His angels our companions. This is the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who translated the Book of Mormon, the "most true and correct" of any book. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the World.
Weekly Update
Before I begin talking about the happenings of the week here in Utah I have some very exciting news. I may be going to Madagascar in the near future. The government of Madagascar released a statement on Friday declaring that COVID is no longer an emergency. The daily average of cases per day has dropped to two. Masks are now optional and citizens can travel freely between cities. Elder Divelbiss spoke to Malagasy missionaries serving in Madagascar and they said that international flights should resume in the next few weeks. I am not officially going there yet but things are looking promising. I will keep all of you updated on anything that happens.
Now for what is happening in Bountiful. We met with someone named Michelle on Sunday who is a member of the church. She is deaf and has been unable to go to church. There is a deaf ward in Salt Lake but she does not have a car. We have been helping her find an interpreter to translate the hearing ward meeting at the church across the street. Two ASL sister missionaries from the Salt Lake West Mission were able to come up here and translate for us. It was a really neat experience to be able to talk to this deaf lady. It was also my first time using a translator so that was pretty fun. I think I would feel strange if I were and ASL missionary and could plausibly talk to people all day long but never actually speak a word. These sisters area stretches from Farmington to Bluffdale and Park City to Tooele. I believe that that area includes four or five different missions. You know that you're a missionary when the idea of being able to wander around the Salt Lake Valley unrestricted sounds pretty exhilarating.
The people we have been teaching all decided to get sick this week. They do not have COVID but just about every other sickness known to man. We have had people cancel lessons because of strep throat, hauntivirus, the stomach flu, and pink eye. Hopefully everyone will be healed and we can start teaching again. We offered to do zoom lessons with all of the sick people but nobody took us up on that. They should start feeling better this week and be up for lessons.
We were able to give a woman named Debbie a blessing on Saturday. She is going through some difficult times and asked us to come visit her. It was a neat experience.
One neat thing I realized is that I have talked with someone who grew up on every continent except Antarctica. It has been really neat to see all the places I have met people from. So far I have talked to people from Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, Sierra Leone, Morocco, China, Australia, India, Tonga, Samoa, Japan, Philippines, France, South Africa, Madagascar, and the Solomon Islands. It makes be wonder how many people live all around us if we were out knocking on each and every door.
I know I have said this before but I just wanted to say again that all of you welcome to send me hate mail at any time. I will read it when you send it but won't be able to respond until P-day. If you would like to offer critics on my writing style, picture taking abilities, or how I comb my hair, please do so.
I hope you all have a great week,
Elder Payne
Apparently I own a power equipment store in Woods Cross. Who knew! Nobody tells me anything around here.
We had zone conference on Tuesday. The stake center was just down the hill from the Bountiful temple. It was a beautiful sight. Fun fact Bro. Een (easily the best Elder's Quorum President in the church) told us about this temple: There is a sun, moon, and stars, in that order, carved in ascending order into the exterior of the temple. If we take this as symbolic of the three degrees of glory then it is backwards. The sun should be on top, symbolizing the Celestial Kingdom and God's presence. However, these are actually symbolic of man reaching higher, towards God. Thus, the stars are on top because they are the highest above the earth and, symbolically, are closest to God. Also, the design theme in the interior and the stained glass windows is the backwards Yin-Yang which symbolizes and eternity and perpetual life.
These are the two horses in West Bountiful who are giving Breadloaf a run for his money as area mascot. I've named them Nephi and Sam. Nephi is the horse that is large in stature. If you don't get my Book of Mormon reference, read it again.
Look who made it all the way up to the fence this week!
We met a woman who has this really pretty bird. It is an Eclectus Parrot.
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